BACKGROUND
[0001] The embodiments herein relate to elevator systems, and in particular to power transmission
to elevator cars disposed in a hoistway of an elevator system.
[0002] Conveyance systems, such as, for example, elevator systems, escalator systems, and
moving walkways require electric power for operation. Travelling cables typically
connect an elevator car of the elevator system to a stationary power source to provide
power to the elevator car. Travelling cables may add expense, weight, and complexity
to elevator car operation and installation.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one embodiment, an elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car movable
along the hoistway, and a power management and transfer system. The power management
and transfer system includes an electrical power source, a hoistway contactor secured
in the hoistway and operably connected to the electrical power source, and a car contactor
disposed at the elevator car, such that when the car contactor is brought into operable
contact with the hoistway contactor, electrical power is transferrable between the
power source and the elevator car.
[0004] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the hoistway contactor
is positioned at a hoistway wall of the hoistway at, a landing floor, or a hoistway
ceiling.
[0005] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the hoistway contactor
is positioned at a pit of the hoistway.
[0006] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the car contactor is
positioned beneath a car floor of the elevator car.
[0007] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a car position sensor
is located in the hoistway, and a contactor drive is operably connected to the car
position sensor and to the hoistway contactor. The hoistway contactor is movable from
a retracted position into an extended position in operable contact with the car contactor
by the contactor drive upon sensing of the presence of the elevator car by the car
position sensor.
[0008] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the contactor drive is
one of an electrical motor or a linear actuator.
[0009] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the contactor drive is
configured to move the hoistway contactor from the extended position to the retracted
position when the car position sensor does not sense the presence of the elevator
car.
[0010] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the contactor drive is
configured to move the hoistway contactor from the extended position to the retracted
position after a selected elapsed time at the extended position.
[0011] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the car contactor is
operably connected to an energy storage device disposed at the elevator car, the energy
storage device charged via electrical power transfer from the power source.
[0012] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the energy storage device
is configured to provide electrical power to one or more elevator car electrical loads.
[0013] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the one or more elevator
car electrical loads are one or more of a lighting system, a ventilation system or
a car drive system.
[0014] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments one or more of the car
contactor or the hoistway contactor is formed from one of a metal leaf, roller or
brush.
[0015] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments one or more alignment
features align the hoistway contactor with the car contactor.
[0016] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the one or more alignment
features include one or more of a magnetic feature or a two-dimensional motor.
[0017] In another embodiment, a method of operating an elevator system includes moving an
elevator car along a hoistway of an elevator system, operably connecting a hoistway
contactor located at the hoistway to a car contactor disposed at the elevator car,
and transferring electrical power between a power source and the elevator car via
the operable connection of the hoistway contactor an the car contactor.
[0018] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments an energy storage device
of the elevator car is charged via the transfer of electrical power from the power
source.
[0019] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments one or more elevator
car systems are powered by the energy storage device.
[0020] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the hoistway contactor
located at one of a landing floor or a pit of the hoistway is operably connected to
the car contactor.
[0021] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the presence of the elevator
car is detected via a position sensor disposed in the hoistway, and the hoistway contactor
is moved from a retracted position into operable connection with the car contactor
when the presence of the elevator car is detected.
[0022] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the hoistway contactor
is returned to the retracted position when the presence of the elevator car is no
longer detected.
[0023] The method may, in this or other embodiments, be computer-implemented. In this or
other embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may comprise instructions
that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out a method as outlined
hereinabove.
[0024] Thus in another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises instructions
that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out a method of operating
an elevator system, wherein the method includes moving an elevator car along a hoistway
of an elevator system, operably connecting a hoistway contactor located at the hoistway
to a car contactor disposed at the elevator car, and transferring electrical power
between a power source and the elevator car via the operable connection of the hoistway
contactor an the car contactor.
[0025] The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without
exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as
well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following
description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that
the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory
in nature and non-limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying
figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements.
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an elevator system that may employ various embodiments
of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a power management and transfer
system of an elevator system;
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a power management and
transfer system of an elevator system;
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of yet another embodiment of a power management
and transfer system of an elevator system; and
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of still another embodiment of a power management
and transfer system of an elevator system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elevator system 101 including an elevator car
103, a counterweight 105, a tension member 107, a guide rail 109, a machine 111, a
position reference system 113, and a controller 115. The elevator car 103 and counterweight
105 are connected to each other by the tension member 107. The tension member 107
may include or be configured as, for example, ropes, steel cables, and/or coated-steel
belts. The counterweight 105 is configured to balance a load of the elevator car 103
and is configured to facilitate movement of the elevator car 103 concurrently and
in an opposite direction with respect to the counterweight 105 within an elevator
hoistway 117 and along the guide rail 109.
[0028] The tension member 107 engages the machine 111, which is part of an overhead structure
of the elevator system 101. The machine 111 is configured to control movement between
the elevator car 103 and the counterweight 105. The position reference system 113
may be mounted on a fixed part at the top of the elevator hoistway 117, such as on
a support or guide rail, and may be configured to provide position signals related
to a position of the elevator car 103 within the elevator hoistway 117. In other embodiments,
the position reference system 113 may be directly mounted to a moving component of
the machine 111, or may be located in other positions and/or configurations as known
in the art. The position reference system 113 can be any device or mechanism for monitoring
a position of an elevator car and/or counter weight, as known in the art. For example,
without limitation, the position reference system 113 can be an encoder, sensor, or
other system and can include velocity sensing, absolute position sensing, etc., as
will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
[0029] The controller 115 is located, as shown, in a controller room 121 of the elevator
hoistway 117 and is configured to control the operation of the elevator system 101,
and particularly the elevator car 103. For example, the controller 115 may provide
drive signals to the machine 111 to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling,
stopping, etc. of the elevator car 103. The controller 115 may also be configured
to receive position signals from the position reference system 113 or any other desired
position reference device. When moving up or down within the elevator hoistway 117
along guide rail 109, the elevator car 103 may stop at one or more landings 125 as
controlled by the controller 115. Although shown in a controller room 121, those of
skill in the art will appreciate that the controller 115 can be located and/or configured
in other locations or positions within the elevator system 101. In one embodiment,
the controller may be located remotely or in the cloud.
[0030] The machine 111 may include a motor or similar driving mechanism. In accordance with
embodiments of the disclosure, the machine 111 is configured to include an electrically
driven motor. The power supply for the motor may be any power source, including a
power grid, which, in combination with other components, is supplied to the motor.
The machine 111 may include a traction sheave that imparts force to tension member
107 to move the elevator car 103 within elevator hoistway 117.
[0031] Although shown and described with a roping system including tension member 107, elevator
systems that employ other methods and mechanisms of moving an elevator car within
an elevator hoistway may employ embodiments of the present disclosure. For example,
embodiments may be employed in ropeless elevator systems using a linear motor to impart
motion to an elevator car. Embodiments may also be employed in ropeless elevator systems
using a hydraulic lift to impart motion to an elevator car. FIG. 1 is merely a non-limiting
example presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes.
[0032] In other embodiments, the system comprises a conveyance system that moves passengers
between floors and/or along a single floor. Such conveyance systems may include escalators,
people movers, etc. Accordingly, embodiments described herein are not limited to elevator
systems, such as that shown in Figure 1.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, the elevator system 101 includes a power management and
transfer system 200. An energy storage device 202, such as a battery or the like,
is located at the elevator car 103 and is utilized to power electrical systems of
the elevator car 103, for example, lighting system 204, ventilation system 208, or
the like. In some embodiments, the energy storage device 202 may be utilized to provide
electrical power to an elevator car 103 mounted drive system, such as a linear motor
drive system 206, or the like. An electrical power source 210 is located, for example,
in the hoistway 117, or alternatively outside the hoistway 117.
[0034] One or more hoistway contactors 212 are operably connected to the power source 210
and are located in the hoistway 117. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 2,
a hoistway contactor 212 is located at each landing floor 214 of the elevator system
101, or at selected landing floors 214 of the elevator system 101. A car contactor
216 is located at the elevator car 103, and is connected to the energy storage device
202. The car contactor 216 is configured and positioned such that when the elevator
car 103 arrives at a landing floor 214 having a hoistway contactor 212 located thereat,
the car contactor 216 aligns with the hoistway contactor 212. Electrical power is
then transmitted from the power source 210 to the energy storage device 202 via the
alignment of the car contactor 216 with the hoistway contactor 212. In some embodiments,
the car contactor 216 and/or the hoistway contactor 212 are formed from, for example,
a metal leaf, roller, or brush, which in some embodiments is spring loaded to ensure
adequate contact between the car contactor 216 and the hoistway contactor 212 for
transmission of electrical power therethrough to charge the energy storage device
202 of the elevator car 103. While electrical power is transferred via the car contactor
216 and the hoistway contactor 212, in other embodiments the contactors 212 and 216
may be utilized as a communications link to transfer data such as elevator system
health information and load profiles between the elevator car 103 and the controller
115. The communications link may be as an alternative to or in addition to the transfer
of electrical power.
[0035] While in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the hoistway contactors 212 are located at the
hoistway wall 218, in other embodiments, other locations may be utilized. For example,
in the embodiment of FIG. 3, a hoistway contactor 212 is located in a pit 220 of the
hoistway 117, such that when the elevator car 103 is at its lowest position in the
hoistway 117, the hoistway contactor 212 aligns with the car contactor 216, which
in this embodiment is located beneath a car floor 222 of the elevator car 103. Such
an arrangement may be utilized in addition to or as an alternative to the configuration
shown in FIG. 2. Further, in some embodiments the hoistway contactor 212 may similarly
be located above the elevator car 103 in which case the car contactor 216 aligns with
the hoistway contactor 212 when the elevator car 103 is at its highest position in
the hoistway 117.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 4, in some embodiments the hoistway contactor 212 is movable
depending on the presence of an elevator car 103. This alleviates a potential ride
quality concern when compared to a fixed-position hoistway contactor 212 that the
elevator car 103 will ride over with each passing. As shown, the hoistway contactor
212 is mounted on a contact arm 224 and normally held close to the hoistway wall 218.
A position sensor 226 is located in the hoistway 117. When the position sensor 226
detects the presence of an elevator car 103 at the hoistway contactor 212 location,
the hoistway contactor 212 is extended via an arm drive 228 from its retracted position
to an extended position such that the hoistway contactor 212 aligns with the car contactor
216 allowing for the transfer of electrical power therethrough. In some embodiments,
such as shown in FIG. 4, the arm drive 228 is an electrical motor or the like, and
the contact arm 224 may take the form of a rotational actuator such as shown in FIG.
4, or alternatively a linear actuator such as shown in FIG. 5. One skilled in the
art will readily appreciated, however, that these configurations are merely exemplary
and that other arrangements may be utilized to move the hoistway contactor 212 into
contact with the car contactor 216. Once the position sensor 226 no longer detects
the presence of the elevator car 103, the arm drive 228 moves the hoistway contactor
212 to its retracted position. In other embodiments, the arm drive 228 moves the hoistway
contactor 212 to its retracted position prior to movement of the elevator car 103,
for example, after a selected time period at the extended position. While in the embodiments
described herein the hoistway contactor 212 is extended and retracted, one skilled
in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments the car contactor 216 is extended
and/or retracted for contact with the hoistway contactor 212. Further still, in other
embodiments both the car contactor 216 and the hoistway contactor 212 may be movable.
[0037] In other embodiments, the power management and transfer system 200 may also include
a mechanical release and latch system that could mechanically/kinematically cause
the release and alignment of the hoistway contactor 212 and the car contactor 216
whereby the ability is controlled remotely. For example, an electromechancal control
that releases an interface cam that allows the elevator car 103 motion to cause the
rest of the mechanism to be aligned by the elevator car 103 itself. When not necessary
the electromechanical device pulls the interface cam away from the elevator interface
so that it can go through without interaction.In some embodiments, the power management
and transfer system 200 may include one or more alignment features 300 to ensure alignment
and sufficient contact between the car contactor 216 and the hoistway contactor 212.
Such features may include a magnetic feature and/or a 2D motor to correctly position
the hoistway contactor 212 relative to the hoistway contactor 216. In other embodiments,
conic topologies of the car contactor 216 and the hoistway contactor 212 may be utilized.
This way, there is a lot of clearance at the beginning of the interface but as there
is closure of the gap, the conic section is guided into the proper orientation. The
tips of the cones could be used for transferring current.
[0038] The configurations disclosed herein provide a simple cost effective solution to provide
electrical power to the elevator car 103, specifically to charge the energy storage
device 202. This allows for the elimination of the typical travelling cable for electrical
power transmission, improving ride quality and reducing cost of the elevator system
101.
[0039] The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement
of the particular quantity and/or manufacturing tolerances based upon the equipment
available at the time of filing the application.
[0040] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments
only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein,
the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as
well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify
the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components,
but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
[0041] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that various example embodiments are shown
and described herein, each having certain features in the particular embodiments,
but the present disclosure is not thus limited. Rather, the present disclosure can
be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations,
sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are
commensurate with the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, while various
embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood
that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments.
Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing
description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
1. An elevator system, comprising:
a hoistway;
an elevator car movable along the hoistway; and
a power management and transfer system including:
an electrical power source;
a hoistway contactor secured in the hoistway and operably connected to the electrical
power source; and
a car contactor disposed at the elevator car, such that when the car contactor is
brought into operable contact with the hoistway contactor, electrical power is transferrable
between the power source and the elevator car.
2. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein the hoistway contactor is disposed at a hoistway
wall of the hoistway at, a landing floor, or a hoistway ceiling.
3. The elevator system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the hoistway contactor is disposed at
a pit of the hoistway, optionally wherein the car contactor is disposed beneath a
car floor of the elevator car.
4. The elevator system of any preceding claim, further comprising:
a car position sensor disposed in the hoistway; and
a contactor drive operable connected to the car position sensor and to the hoistway
contactor;
wherein the hoistway contactor is movable from a retracted position into an extended
position in operable contact with the car contactor by the contactor drive upon sensing
of the presence of the elevator car by the car position sensor.
5. The elevator system of claim 4, wherein the contactor drive is one of an electrical
motor or a linear actuator.
6. The elevator system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the contactor drive is configured to
move the hoistway contactor from the extended position to the retracted position when
the car position sensor does not sense the presence of the elevator car.
7. The elevator system of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the contactor drive is configured
to move the hoistway contactor from the extended position to the retracted position
after a selected elapsed time at the extended position.
8. The elevator system of any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the energy storage device is
configured to provide electrical power to one or more elevator car electrical loads,
optionally wherein the one or more elevator car electrical loads are one or more of
a lighting system, a ventilation system or a car drive system.
9. The elevator system of any preceding claim, wherein the car contactor is operably
connected to an energy storage device disposed at the elevator car, the energy storage
device charged via electrical power transfer from the power source.
10. The elevator system of any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the car contactor
or the hoistway contactor is formed from one of a metal leaf, roller or brush.
11. The elevator system of any preceding claim, further comprising one or more alignment
features to align the hoistway contactor with the car contactor, optionally wherein
the one or more alignment features include one or more of a magnetic feature or a
two-dimensional motor.
12. A method of operating an elevator system, comprising:
moving an elevator car along a hoistway of an elevator system;
operably connecting a hoistway contactor disposed at the hoistway to a car contactor
disposed at the elevator car; and
transferring electrical power between a power source and the elevator car via the
operable connection of the hoistway contactor an the car contactor.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising charging an energy storage device of the
elevator car via the transfer of electrical power from the power source, optionally
further comprising powering one of more elevator car systems by the energy storage
device.
14. The method of claim 12 or 13, further comprising operably connecting the hoistway
contactor disposed at one of a landing floor or a pit of the hoistway to the car contactor.
15. The method of any of claims 12 to 14, further comprising:
detecting the presence of the elevator car via a position sensor disposed in the hoistway;
and
moving the hoistway contactor from a retracted position into operable connection with
the car contactor when the presence of the elevator car is detected;
optionally further comprising returning the hoistway contactor to the retracted position
when the presence of the elevator car is not detected.